Eventfully Yours

Cutting Costs

People always ask how they can cut costs for their events.  This is the all important question, because let's face it we all have champagne taste but only a beer budget.   So for my fellow "beer" drinkers, this is for you.

Tips to cut costs:

• Cut the guest list! This is the most obvious way to cut your costs for an event.   Less people equals less food, drinks, invitations, etc.

• Keep the kids at home. I know it sounds cruel and I have kids.  Let's face it, kids often waste food and  don't appreciate an adult good time.  Now in certain circumstances you don't really have a choice, like out of town guests, etc. so limit the number of children in that case.

• Forgo the fancy dinner.  Host a cocktail reception.  When I say cocktails not skimpy foods, but different food stations.  You can do different cultures at each station or your favorite foods.  The possibilities are endless.  Get your guests moving around and I bet yours will be an event they remember.

• Control the bar. Instead of serving a full bar, create your own signature drink.  I like the color pink, so I created the Kantini for one of my events.  It was really a watermelon martini, but who cares.  My guests thought it was ingenious!

• Timing is everything.   When you decide to host your event  can also affect your costs.   Keep an eye on the calendar.  If your event falls around any major holiday, rethink the date if possible.

• Go someplace unique.  This applies mostly to weddings.   Think outside the box, meaning nix the banquet halls and hotels.  Try a local bed and breakfast or museum.  These places an add personality to your special day.

• Make your own invitations. This can save you a lot of money.  There are also websites where you can create and send email invitations.  Now don't get me wrong, it is convenient, but there is nothing like getting an invitation in the mail.  It also depends on your event.

• Last but not least, hire a professional planner! Their resources alone can save you time and most importantly money!

Until next time, eventfully yours,
Kandice

Planning a Child's Party

Any parent worth their weight has done the unthinkable, thrown a children's party.  Ahh, the screaming, crying and sometimes fighting!  What fun!

Before undertaking your next children's party, ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of party does your child want?
• Will the party be at home, at a park, or at an ice skating rink?
• When will the party be held?
• Who will be invited?
• What foods will be served?
• What will you do for fun?
• How will you get ready?
• How will you decorate?
• How much will it cost?
• Who will clean up after the party?

Be Cost-conscious
If you're facing a tight budget, keep the party simple and at home.  Try to avoid indulging in fancy, store bought decorations or invitations.  If you have time, make them yourself and let your little one help.

Choose a Theme
A theme pulls everything together.  It also allows children to step out of everyday reality and into the world of imagination, playacting, or pure silliness, imparting a truly festive air to the party.  The best way to come up with a theme is to base it on your child's interests, activities, studies or readings.

Until next time, eventfully yours!

Runaway Events

"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me" - Abraham Lincoln

Of course, Abraham Lincoln was referring to World events and not parties, but this statement could apply.  How many times have you been knee deep in planning an event and thought to yourself, why did I start this anyway?

You are the victim of a runaway event.  How do you know if your event has run away from you?  Here are  some clues:

1. Your guest/attendees list is out of control. 
2. You have no idea who is coming and who isn't.
3. Your bank balance is getting smaller by the second.

How can you get your event back on track and under your control?

• The first step is to get your guest list under control.  Your guest list controls everything that effects your budget.  It determines how many invitations you need, the amount of food and drink, etc.  This is the most common cause of runaway events.  Like that infomercial says, set it and forget it!  Set the number for your event and stick to it.  No matter how many people your mom wants to invite from her job.

• Next, make sure that those who are on the list, understand who is included in the invitation.  Is there whole family invited or just mom and dad.   For a work related event, are spouses and children included as well?  Be clear or you will end up with more people than you bargained for and lots of confusion.

• Finally, keeping your guest list under control will do a lot to help your bank balance stay intact.  You also need to be realistic about what you can afford.  Many of us have champagne taste but sadly, beer budgets.  Remember, to k.i.s.s. it!  Keep it simple, sweeties!  A simple event can still be an elegant event.

If you have any problem implementing things, call in a professional planner to help you get everything under control.

Until next time!
Eventfully yours

Selecting Your Wedding Party

Weddings are a time to celebrate and unfortunately sometimes a source of great stress.  The bride and groom must second guess themselves every step of the way, especially when it comes to selecting their bridal party.

How do you select some people without offending others?  This is where etiquette becomes a two way street.  Those unchosen few must respect your decision and live with it.  How do you go about making the final choices?  Follow these criteria:

• people who are currently close to you
• people you know you can depend on
• people who will be comforting to you when you need it
• people you know will be in your life for a very long time
• people for whom serving in your wedding party will not be a burden

Extending the Invitation
In these days of cyber space it is so easy to just casually send off an email evite to prospective wedding party members.  Pick up the phone instead.  Also ask, don't tell.

What if someone says no?  Don't take it personal.  Obviously, there is something going on with that person that prevents them from being a part of your  special day in that way.  If they don't offer up an explanation, don't ask and don't try to talk them into it.  You must respect their decision.

If money is the issue, tread lightly.  You can offer to pay their expenses, but go about it tactfully.  If that doesn't go over well, offer them another job as part of the ceremony, maybe a poetry reading.

For those that do accept the invitation to become part of your wedding party, try not to chose the most expensive dress or tuxedo on the market!!!

Until next time, eventfully yours!